April 18, 2024

Tackling the Unique Challenges of Low-frequency Solar Polarimetry with the Square Kilometre Array Low Precursor: The Algorithm by Devojyoti Kansabanik et al

The solar corona makes up hot magnetized plasma. Coronal electromagnetic fields are popular to be among the important specifications determining the physics of the solar corona and are important drivers of Space Weather. Despite the fact that the value of coronal electromagnetic fields has actually been acknowledged for a long, in practice, they stay rather hard to measure. The polarization residential or commercial properties of coronal emission at low radio frequencies can, in concept, be used to measure the coronal magnetic field. Precise polarimetry at these frequencies is inherently difficult and it is made more challenging by the large variety of brightness temperatures associated with different emission mechanisms (ranging from 10,000 K to 10,000 billion K), the variation in the fractional polarisation from near to 100% to less than 1%, and the extreme temporal and spectral irregularity of the emission. Extremely frequently the very intense emissions are present concurrently with the very faint emissions. To discover both of them in the radio images, one needs high dynamic variety solar images. With the special variety configuration of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) precursor, it is possible to make high fidelity and high vibrant range spectroscopic picture solar images. To attain this, we established a robust and automatic polarisation calibration and imaging algorithm Called Polarimetry using Automated Imaging Routine for Compact Arrays for the Radio Sun (P-AIRCARS), this algorithm delivers high dynamic range and high fidelity complete Stokes solar radio images with residual leaks on par with the finest images today. The algorithm has actually been developed with the future SKAO in mind. Images made by P-AIRCARS make it possible for the expedition of previously unattainable phase space and provide a significant discovery potential.
A brief summary of P-AIRCARS algorithm.
The P-AIRCARS algorithm is based on the Measurement Equation framework, which forms the basis of all modern-day radio interferometric calibration and imaging. For precise polarisation calibration, one needs to remedy each of the instrumental impacts in detail and with adequate accuracy. The aperture selection nature of the MWA and its wide field-of-view restricts the usage of calibrator observation to correct for the instrumental polarisation precisely. To overcome this challenge, this algorithm utilizes the designed full Stokes main beam of the MWA and the truth there is no linearly polarised emission from the peaceful Sun, and the level of circular polarisation is expected to be less than 1% at the meter wavelengths, to adjust the instrumental polarisation. We have used complete Jones calibration software to carry out polarisation self-calibration, which improves the fidelity and vibrant variety of the final images.

Figure 1. A sets of Stokes I and circular polarisation pictures of type-I, II and III solar radio bursts used P-AIRCARS. Top panel reveals the Stokes I images and bottom panel represents the circular polarisation fraction images.,
Results
This algorithm offers complete Stokes solar spectroscopic snapshot solar images with high fidelity. This algorithm routinely produces images with a vibrant series of more than 300 under quiet Sun conditions and under specific favorable instances can surpass 105. The residual important polarisation provided by the algorithm is normally less than 1%, on par with the high-quality radio astronomical observations. The precise polarisation calibration and high vibrant series of these images will allow us to detection of faint radio emissions from the plasma of the coronal mass ejections and the caused circular polarisation of the peaceful Sun thermal emission. Some sample P-AIRCARS images of the total strength and circular polarisation for the type-I, -II, and -III solar radio bursts are displayed in the figure 1. The red contour in the top panels shows the Stokes I emission at 0.5% of the peak emission while the bottom panels reveal portion circular polarisation. The blue circles represent the optical disc of the Sun and the filled ellipses, the resolution of the observations. In all cases, the residual crucial polarisation is less than 1%. This algorithm represents the cutting-edge and has actually been developed to meet the requirement for the exact polarisation calibration of the future Square Kilometre Array.
Based on a recent paper by Kansabanik, D., Oberoi, D. And Mondal, S. 2022, ApJ 931 110 https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac6758
Extra info
Full list of authors: Devojyoti Kansabanik 1, Divya Oberoi 1, Surajit Mondal 2,1
1 National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Pune, India
2 Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, USA

To find both of them in the radio images, one requires high dynamic variety solar images. Called Polarimetry using Automated Imaging Routine for Compact Arrays for the Radio Sun (P-AIRCARS), this algorithm provides high vibrant range and high fidelity complete Stokes solar radio images with residual leakages on par with the best images today. A sets of Stokes I and circular polarisation images of type-I, II and III solar radio bursts made utilizing P-AIRCARS. The precise polarisation calibration and high dynamic variety of these images will enable us to detection of faint radio emissions from the plasma of the coronal mass ejections and the induced circular polarisation of the quiet Sun thermal emission. Some sample P-AIRCARS images of the total strength and circular polarisation for the type-I, -II, and -III solar radio bursts are shown in the figure 1.